Fungal allergenic extracts for diagnostic (much less therapeutic) use are limited by variability in composition, lack of standardization, and frequent cross-reactivity. Also changes in nomenclature adds to the confusion.
For a general screening panel (prick skin testing), use:
Phoma and Stemphyllium share allergens with Alternaria
Aspergillus and Penicillium have cross-reactive allergens
Esch: Cross-reactivity among the fungi is highly variable, possibly due to differences in fungal strains, and the cultivation/manufacturing methods used by different manufacturers of fungal extracts; in some cases, even different manufacturers’ products labeled as the same fungal species do not guarantee allergenic cross-reactivity
From R. Bush (AAAAI 2012)
Molds Isolated from Christmas Trees
Hypothesized as a cause of "Christmas Tree Syndrome", in which allergic respiratory diseases are exacerbated during the holiday season
Molds Isolated from Classrooms
In a study of 12 inner city classrooms in the Northeast US, predominant mold types recovered were:
Cladosporium
Aspergillus/Penicillium (grouped together because of morphologic similarity) - most prevalent of the traditional ‘indoor’ molds, found most consistently (in 88% of classrooms) and at the highest concentrations
In contrast, Alternaria was found in 29% of rooms and not in high concentrations
Other molds commonly associated with indoor water damage or decay such as Stachybotrys, Chaetomium, Scopulariopsis, and Bispora were found in low concentrations or were rarely recovered
Appropriate Molds for Skin Testing (Bush)
Note:
From R. Bush (AAAAI 2012)
Molds Isolated from Christmas Trees
Molds Isolated from Classrooms
References